NBR: tell me about sod

cia

I don't know anything except that it comes in squares and tends to die if you don't water it.

DH wants to do something about our front lawn.  He thinks sod, I think who cares?  So I need to learn something about it in order to participate in our conversations.  

This is what I need to know:

When do you put it in?

How often do you need to water it?

How long will it (likely) last before having to re-do it again?

How much will it cost for a smallish front yard?

Basically I need to know all your nestie brilliance on the topic. 

 

smb29

I would put it in during the spring because you want it to have time to put down good roots before the winter.  You could do it now, but you'd have to take really good care of it since its so hot.  You need to water it quite a bit in the beginning, probably every other day (which you aren't supposed to do since we're on water restrictions) for the first few weeks/month and then regularly, like twice a week if there is no rain (this also depends on what kind of grass you buy, we have St. Augustine which is a water sucker).  It will last forever if you take care of your yard.  I think a pallet of sod is around $150 + delivery and it would cover around 500 sq ft.  You'd probably need to rent a tiller too if you've got grass and weeds in the front.

Taytee

If you just want to green it up and make it pretty, quickly, winter rye grass seed will do the trick

Abrooks

I second the spring rec.  Especially if it's St. Augustine.  The grass needs lots of water - daily for the first couple weeks, then it tapers from there.  But you want to make sure it takes really good root...so that you never have to re-sod again.  (That's the general idea. If you do it right and it establishes roots, you won't ever have to re-sod again.)  I'd research what grasses require less water and are more native too so that you're planning for the future.  St. Augustine is a high maintenance grass for example, so getting something that is better suited to this area would be better.  I'm not sure on cost.  Probably $150 - $200.  Also - make sure you prep the soil where you're planting it too (till, fertilize, etc.)